The city is examining its options for utilizing a contaminated well that once served residents in the Mulberry Street area.
According to a proposal from a consulting firm, the city of Camdenton could spend upwards of $750,000 to design and install a treatment system to revitalize the Mulberry Street well that was taken off the city’s water supply system in 1998 when traces of trichloroethylene were detected.
Last month, the Camdenton Board of Aldermen decided to ask the firm to come up with a proposal looking into what could be done with the Mulberry well. The board will review the agreement with Golder Associates, Inc. a St. Charles-based consulting firm, at a meeting on Tuesday.
The consulting firm will be able to determine what options the city has for using the well. The well is currently hooked up to an aeration system.
According to a proposal submitted by Golder Associates, the city is looking at the possibility of bringing the Mulberry well back online.
In order to do so, part of the process would require the city to submit to a revised water system operations plan to modify the existing water supply system and design and install a treatment system for the Mulberry well to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The city is looking at spending at least $15,000 for an alternative analysis to select the most suitable remedy for the well.
To actually bring the well back into service could cost $750,000 and involves the design and installation of groundwater treatment system.
The proposal states the “intent of the treatment system will be to effectively remove TCE from the extracted groundwater, and to hopefully not require chlorination of the water supply.”
The Camdenton Board of Aldermen will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Camdenton City Hall.
What we know
Modine is located on approximately 67 acres in Camdenton. The facility manufactures parts used in the manufacture of heat transfer products. Operations began in 1967 under the ownership of Dawson Metal Products. Sundstrand Tubular Products took over operations from 1974 to 1990. Modine has owned and operated the facility since 1990.
In July 1999, Modine entered in a Corrective Action Abatement Order on Consent with the Department of Natural Resources’ Hazardous Waste Program.
Where it is
The Mulberry Well is located about 600 feet east-southeast of Modine.
In addition to the Mulberry Well, a private residential well across the street from Modine had concentrations of TCE above the maximum contaminant level. The well was being used as a secondary water source in the home.
What it is
trichloroethylene
noun.
A colorless volatile liquid used as a solvent and formerly as an anesthetic.
Chem. formula: CCl 2 =CHCl.
What it does
TCE is mainly used as an industrial solvent. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to large amounts of TCE can affect the human central system, and has been associated with some types of cancers.
*Information was obtained through a report released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Contact this reporter at charisp@lakesunleader.com
